The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls is proud to announce July Youths of the Month. Braden Morriss, of the Southeast Branch, is the Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Isaac Lujan, of the Southeast Branch, is the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Sean Hall, of the Southeast Branch, is the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month.
Service clubs sponsor three age divisions. Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls sponsors 6-8 year olds. Optimist of Wichita Falls sponsors 9-11 year olds. Rotary Club of Wichita Falls sponsors 12-18 year olds. Interviewers were Warren Gardner representing the Rotary Club of WF and John Ferguson representing the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls considered the following attributes while selecting the City Wide Youths of the Month:
- Home & Family Involvement
- Community Contributions
- Academic Achievements
- Boys & Girls Club participation
- Spiritual Values
Nominees for the Kiwanis Division included:
- K’Aaliyah Mitchell, Rosewood Branch
- Anya Rankin, Northeast Branch
- Zaria Palmer, Northwest Branch
- Braden Morriss, Southeast Branch
- Kaedance Mastalasz, Southwest Branch
- Jade Martinez, Central Branch
Nominees for the Optimist Division included:
- Daisy Malone, Rosewood Branch
- Tamaurion Williams, Northeast Branch
- Tyreese Warner, Northwest Branch
- Isaac Lujan, Southeast Branch
- Chloe Fisher, Southwest Branch
- Carlos Hernandez, Central Branch
Nominees for the Rotary Division included:
- Jaylean James, Rosewood Branch
- Lawrence Gibson, Northeast Branch
- Naja Senghor, Northwest Branch
- Sean Hall, Southeast Branch
- Damion Fisher, Southwest Branch
- Analeyce Nickels, Central Branch
Generous sponsors include: Raising Canes Chicken Fingers and Times/Record News
Braden Morriss is the 8-year-old son of Christopher and Amber Morriss. He attends the Southeast Branch where Ms. Charlene Vomastek is Club Director.
Braden has two sisters and one brother. Braden is good about keeping his room clean and helping with the house work. Additional duties include helping with yard work, taking out the trash, and helping with the younger members of his family. He also has a calming effect on his 11-year-old autistic brother and is called on when necessary to help with his brother’s needs.
Braden attends Fain Elementary as a third grade student and maintains straight A’s on his report card. He enjoys his learning in Mathematics class most says, “School is important because it makes you smarter.”
As a Boys & Girls Club kid, Braden is all over the Club and participating a variety of activities and programs. Some these include Power Hour Homework Help, Photography, Arts and Crafts, Computer Tech, Triple Play Challenges, Club Tech & Reading Programs, and swimming at Central.
Braden is in the Cub Scouts and has volunteered in cleaning up Rosemont Cemetery, local nursing homes, and has marched in both Veterans Day and City Lights Parades. He is proud of the fact that he has met Congressman Mac Thornberry!
Director Charlene Vomastek said, “Braden enjoys his time at the Boys & Girls Club and the Club enjoys his participation.”
Isaac Lujan is the 12-year-old son of Regina Lujan. He attends the Southeast Branch of the Boys & Girls Club where Ms. Charlene is Director.
Isaac has one sister, a 3-year-old brother, and one more on the way. He does a great job of helping with the house chores and looks for opportunities to help with both household and outdoor upkeep. Isaac has Dyslexia but doesn’t let that slow him down at home, in school, or at the Club.
Isaac is a sixth grade student at Southern Hills Elementary where he is maintaining a 3.5 GPA and is very active. He plays the trombone in band, sings in the Choir, and is a member of the Safety Patrol. He has also participated in the DARE program and enjoys his arts class.
Isaac believes school is important because “It teaches us to study and learn more”.
Isaac has been a Boys & Girls Club member for the past two years and has entered his work in the annual Boys & Girls Club Fine Arts and Photography Programs. He participates in after school Power Hour, Reading Program, Peer Leaders, and is a junior staff. Swimming and Triple Play Challenges in the gym are other fun things he does as a member of the Club.
Director Charlene Vomastek said, “Isaac is a prime candidate for YOM recognition because he is engaging, active, and outgoing while at the Club.”
Sean Hall is the 17-year-old son of Jean and Jill Hill. He attends the Southeast Branch of the Boys & Girls Club where Mrs. Charlene Vomastek is Director.
Sean is the youngest of three children with a sister and a brother. He is a big help around the house and even takes the car for oil changes.
Sean is a seven-year member of Floral Heights Church of Christ whose spiritual beliefs are evident in his every day personal interactions. He is involved with the youth group, ushers, and is a member of the choir. As a civic minded teenager, Sean has been involved in several projects that benefit the Wichita Falls community. Some of these include volunteering at the Humane Society, Emily’s Legacy Rescue, Pregnancy Help Center (striped the parking lot), and the Kell House’s Santa Fourth of July Parade Float for the past 7 years and the list goes on and on.
As a twelfth grade student at Park Haven Academy, Sean maintains 3.5 + GPA. His favorite subject is Science and he enjoys studying Robotics. He is a state champion in 4-H Robotics and coached a team for the NASA/MIT Robotics Competition. Sean’s joy in singing in the Choir has earned him a championship in 4-H Vocal Contest. He is athletic as well. He runs Cross Country on the track and field team. Sean also plays volleyball. He said, “I believe school is important because it helps kids realize their potential”. Hollie wants to pursue a career in the Culinary Arts at California Arts College.
Sean has been an active member of the Boys & Girls Club for the past six years. He is in the Junior Staff Program and is a Peer Leader helping with the Power Hour Program. He has also won awards in the annual Fine Arts Competition.
Club Director Charlene Vomastek said, “Sean is a wonderful young man and helps anyone who needs it leading in a positive way!”